Want to find out a bit more about Adventure Life? Check out some
of these great publications that have written articles about our tours.
Browse through these brief summaries or click on the links below to
read the full articles!
Published: April 15, 2025
By: Emese Maczko
Are you a fan of Outlander? Set-jetting can take a slower, more immersive turn if you cruise along Scotland’s Caledonian Canal.
In the Scottish Highlands, the 60-mile-long Caledonian Canal runs from Inverness to Fort William, linking a series of lakes (’lochs’ in Scottish)—including Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy— and artificial locks, including Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in the United Kingdom.
Adventure Life offers a
7-day canal experience aboard the
Scottish Highlander, a luxury barge with capacity for eight guests.
Before boarding the barge in Inverness, travelers can visit Culloden Moor, the scene of the famous 1746 battle, a pivotal moment in Outlander and Clava Cairns, the burial site of a prehistoric clan chieftain, widely believed to have inspired the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in the series.
Additional highlights include the ruins of Urquhart Castle right by the shore of Loch Ness and uninterrupted views of Ben Nevis near Fort William.
At the end of the Caledonian Canal, travelers can visit the historic Ben Nevis Distillery to taste Scottish whisky. It can be an ideal stop for those who appreciate savoring culture through its spirits.
Published: April 9, 2025
By: Emese Maczko
"For the best chance to see iguanas along the shoreline, head to Punta Espinosa on Fernandina Island," said Erin Correia, a senior trip planner at Adventure Life, in an email interview. “The ground is covered in piles of resting marine iguanas.”
Published: March 6, 2025
By: Lydia Mansel
While
Jess Heuermann, a senior trip planner at
Adventure Life, notes that Vietnam as a whole is relatively affordable—budget travelers can expect to spend around $30 per day—there’s one island in particular that stands out for low-cost travel. “Phú Quốc is less popular than other beach destinations in Southeast Asia, which makes it a great option for those looking for an affordable way to avoid the crowds,” Heuermann told
Travel + Leisure.
Published: January 9, 2025
By: Matador Creators
Easier accessibility is a big reason why Matador Network readers voted Greenland as the winner of 2024’s Next Big Destination Readers’ Choice Award.
Those who don’t want to plan their own trip can rely on operators like US-based travel company Adventure Life, which recently started offering land-based tours in the territory. Two more airports are scheduled to open in Greenland in 2026: one in Ilulissat (home to a UNESCO-listed Icefjord) and one in Qaqortoq (the northernmost city in the world). It’s safe to say that Greenland is bound to experience a surge of visitors in the next few years. Be ahead of the curve and visit in 2025 while it’s still quiet.
Women are Redefining Travel in 2025—and They're Doing it Alone
Published: December 27, 2024
By: Jessy Hamel
Women are also making waves in adventure tourism. The Adventure Travel Trade Association reports that women now account for over half of adventure bookings. To go one step further, it’s also the most popular type of travel for women over 50.
Adventure Life’s Antarctica expeditions draw interest from female adventurers seeking extreme experiences and cultural immersions.
Published: December 10, 2024
By: Gaurav Banerji, Susan J. Young, Ruthanne Terrero, Matt Turner
Shannon Kendro has been a trip planner at Adventure Life for four years, helping travelers plan adventurous small-ship expedition cruises in destinations like Antarctica, Alaska, the Great Lakes, Canada, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe. Kendro pursued a career as a travel advisor to help people realize their dream experiences. Over the years, one aspect of travel that has surprised her the most is the growing popularity of multi-generational trips, especially when they involve more adventurous and niche experiences.
Published: November 22, 2024
By: Chrissie McClatchie
Among the traditionally-styled sailing yachts that cruise the region is
Katharina. Built in 1995 using high-grade ironwood, its classic lines and distinctive burgundy sails add a dose of bygone charm. The vessel can accommodate 12 guests, with 12 crew. "A cruise is the ideal way to see the region," says Jess Heuermann, Senior Trip Planner with Adventure Life, via email. "It's a snorkeler's paradise. Other activities include kayaking, hiking, village visits and more." Nine nights in Raja Ampat on
Katharina is priced from $99,600 through Adventure Life.
The Washington Post
Published: October 19, 2024
By: Andrea Sachs, Hannah Sampson and Natalie B. Compton
Patagonia
Monika Sundem, chief executive of the travel company Adventure Life, says spring in the southern hemisphere is a
spectacular time for trekking. Though the weather can still be unpredictable, adventurous types can take advantage
of lower prices — lodging and flights can be up to 40 percent cheaper, she said — and uncrowded national parks,
such as Chile’s Torres del Paine and Argentina’s Los Glaciares.
Tanzania Safaris
Because of climate change, the rains are arriving later and dry season is stretching past October and into November,
Adventure Life trip planner Kassandra Magruder said.
Without the extra precipitation, the wildlife gather at established watering holes, so safari guides can more easily
track the animals. During Tanzania’s spring below the equator, millions of wildebeest and zebra participating in the
Great Migration arrive in the southern Serengeti.
“It makes exploring the northern circuit of Tarangire, Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park much more
streamlined and efficient,” Magruder said, “yielding more time for game drives and fantastic wildlife viewing.”
Published: September 30, 2024
By: Mark Chesnut
Interest in sustainable travel is “incredibly important, and one of the main reasons many travelers choose to plan their trips with us,” said Monika Sundem, CEO of Adventure Life, a TRAVELSAVERS affiliate in Missoula, Montana. “Sustainability has become more important in clients' buying decisions, with the increased news about climate change and overtourism challenges that many regions face.”
Published: September 12, 2024
By: Janice Wald Henderson
“Climate change is already impacting how cruisers book voyages, although they don’t necessarily use those words,” says Adventure Life’s Mary Curry. “They’re referencing the effects and choosing destinations not as hot in the summer or scrambling to visit polar regions that may not be the same in another decade. There is definite worry that this time won’t last and their children’s trips to these regions will be vastly different.” Mary Curry says her cruisers now almost exclusively request spring or fall departures in the Mediterranean and that these dates sell out a year or two in advance as cruisers seek the best value options. “I see suppliers often discounting midsummer travels, as they’re much less popular than a few years ago,” adds Curry.
Published: May 1, 2024
By: Rachel Chang
Finding the right sailing varies based on seasonality, budget, and most of all, an individual's travel style and interests, so it's essential to really think about the type of experience you're seeking. "Consider what's most important to you," Adventure Life senior trip planner
Mary Curry says. "For some travelers, that means finding the option that has the perfect date to fit over an anniversary or to see a solar eclipse. For others, it could be getting to that one port that you've always dreamed of seeing."
Published: February 13, 2024
By: Gabrielle Olya
Cultures and Nature in Papua New Guinea Cruise
Price: Starting at $10,030 per person
This luxury cruise offered by Ponant is a 13-day expedition cruise that explores Papua New Guinea’s wonders and ancient tribes.
“Wealthy travelers like unique itineraries that are a true expedition, going where very few have ever been before,” said Mary Curry, senior trip planner at Adventure Life. “This cruise travels along the east coast of Papua New Guinea in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, where spectacular fjords, pristine coral atolls and remote villages delight travelers with the means to access this off-the-beaten-path area. It has one of the last relatively untouched cultures of the world, as well as fantastic snorkeling and birding.”
Published: February 12, 2024
By: Lauren Dana Ellman
“If you are looking for a more casual and laid-back experience, Seattle-based UnCruise Adventures offers down-to-earth trips with enthusiastic naturalist guides, simple accommodations, and hearty local cuisine,” says Palmer. Mary Curry, another T+L A-List travel advisor, echoes these sentiments, explaining that “small ships are the absolute best way to see Alaska if your goal is to immerse yourself in nature and wildlife.” While the cabins are no-frills, Curry stresses that the main focus of the cruise is “getting off the ship and exploring everything Alaska's Inside Passage has to offer.” With that said, when it comes to activities, options abound. Per the pro, travelers can “choose between a menu of included excursions such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, zodiac cruises, whale watching, and more.” All in all, UnCruise really does offer something for everyone.
Published: December 21, 2023
By: Margarita Ibbott
Book a fly-and-cruise expedition to Antarctica through
Adventure Life and avoid sailing through the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage. Instead, fly two hours from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island, then board the Magellan Explorer ship and cruise among the icebergs, penguins, seals and whales of the white continent. Each day, disembark to explore the frozen landscape with expert polar guides.
Published: September 18, 2023
By: Catherine Garcia
There's no place like the Galapagos Islands. One of the most biodiverse spots on Earth, visitors will leave here having seen something entirely new, like a marine iguana or colony of Darwin's finches. It's not just the wildlife attracting intrepid travelers, either — the pristine beaches, turquoise waters and active volcanos are also big draws. The Galapagos Islands are about 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, and while it takes plenty of planning and time to get there, the payoff is worth it.
Jess Heuermann, senior trip planner with Adventure Life, told The Week she recommends arriving in Ecuador two days before a scheduled trip to the Galapagos Islands, just in case of flight delays. The islands sit on the equator and are a year-round destination, with the peak travel season in the summer and around Christmas. It's best to plan a trip a year in advance, if possible.
Published: September 14, 2023
By: Cassidy Randall
Don’t let the name fool you.
Camp Denali is far from a rustic “camp.” The luxe stay here features well-appointed individual log cabins with wood stoves, each with running water right out the front door if not inside, kettles to make your own hot beverages, and porches positioned for an unobstructed view of the peak—Camp Denali is the only lodge inside the park boundaries from which the elusive mountain can be seen. There’s a gorgeous shower house, an old historic log cabin lodge full of books and comfy couches, and a thoughtfully constructed new lodge where dining consists of high-quality plated meals made from local ingredients from Alaskan farms and ranches and the surrounding landscape itself. But the “Camp” part of the name derives from its founding more than seventy years ago, the same founders who discovered that the land itself would teach them how to steward it.
USA Today
Published: March 14, 2023
By: Katie Jackson
Search for Wallace's Living Treasures with Adventure Life
At the same time Darwin was drafting his theory of evolution in the Galapagos, Alfred Russel Wallace was also doing the same, albeit in Indonesia. This Adventure Life sailing trip celebrates the bicentennial of Wallace's birth and stops at the places where the lesser-known biologist studied natural selection. Snorkel some of the most biodiverse reefs as you explore the world's largest archipelago. Your host is Dr. George Beccaloni, a renowned expert on Wallace.
The 12-day trip starts at $8,790.
Conde Nast Traveler
Published: March 14, 2023
By: Condé Nast
They'll pull off the impossible and spare you the logistics. Congratulations to our Trip Planners Mary Curry, Kassandra Magruder, Jeff Rottschafer, and Jane Packer for being named among Condé Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialists for 2023!
Mary Curry: Antarctica, Galápagos Islands, Arctic Expert
Kassandra Magruder: South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania Expert
Jeff Rottschafer: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia Expert
Jane Packer: Peru, Argentina, Chile Expert
Published: March 9, 2023
By: Bailey Berg
Adventure Life’s Explore Aysen and Patagonia National Park
The Aysen region of Chile is one of the most remote areas of South America; on this seven-day expedition, travelers can get a deep dive into Patagonia National Park’s stunning natural scenery. Itinerary highlights include kayaking to the Marble Caves of Lake General Carrera, trekking on the ice of the imposing Exploradores Glacier, rafting the rapids of the Baker River, and hiking deep into protected land to spot wildlife and take in expansive views. Throughout the trip, travelers will stay at the
Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, which features superlative views of Lake General Carrera and rustic cabin accommodations... There are multiple departures still available through April and again in October through December.
Published: March 9, 2023
By: Sunny Fitzgerald
When is the most popular time to visit Costa Rica?
The experts recommend making reservations several months in advance to avoid disappointment, particularly if you’re planning to travel to Costa Rica in the peak seasons. Villalobos says that rental cars should be reserved two to three months before your trip, and
Jess Heuermann, a senior trip planner at Adventure Life who specializes in Costa Rica, notes that hotels in popular regions like Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio tend to sell out three to five months in advance of peak travel times.
Published: December 27, 2022
By: Adventure Travel Trade Association
How has your company changed over the last 15 years?
We certainly have changed over that time – even in the last five years it seems! We started out as a Latin America-based group tour operator, and after the 2008 recession slowly shifted focus to custom-trip planning and small-ship cruises. We still offer some group tours in select areas where it makes sense to do so, but our main focus now is on travelers who want a unique, private, or specialized trip designed just for them. This, of course, includes small ship cruises as well that can offer a true expedition or exploratory experience. We’ve built such an extensive network of trusted partners around the world that we can design trips in the majority of countries that are open for tourism, even if they’re not listed on our website.
Published: December 5, 2022
By: Named Among The Best of The World for 2023, Is This The Next Machu Picchu?
While Machu Picchu is well-equipped to welcome travelers of all ages via fleets of buses and trains, Choquequirao remains incredibly remote. It is accessible only to the most adventurous travelers via a strenuous 38-mile, four-day hike from the sleepy mountain town of San Pedro de Cachora.
Jane Packer, a trip planner for Adventure Life, described the hike as “a four on a scale of five for difficulty,” though the journey was her first true multi-day trekking experience. Today, she organizes guided excursions to Choquequirao, Machu Picchu, and some of Peru's other impressive destinations.
While independent hikers can make the journey to Choquequirao, Packer recommends traveling with an experienced guide. “If you go with an organized tour like Adventure Life offers, you'll have a guide, and necessary camping gear will be provided. Meals will also be provided, so you won't have to worry about shopping or cooking.” It's a lot to consider on top of the physical demands of the trek.
Published: November 10, 2022
By: Everett Potter
Discover Aysen
Discover Aysen from Adventure Life is a passport to discover the remote Aysen region of Chile. This trip includes kayaking the Marble Caves, trekking on the Exploradores Glacier, hiking through San Rafael National Park, and rafting the Baker River. There are optional horseback riding and fly fishing available. Accommodations are at the Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, and the six-day trip is $2,990.
Published: October 9, 2022
By: Lea Lane
Shoulder seasons are delightful times to explore the world. And brisk weather, brightly colored foliage, and crowd-free destinations make fall the perfect time to travel. Here are seven vacation ideas for the weeks ahead, ranging from the mountains of Montana and Nepal to the Galapagos Islands.
Trek with Sherpas: New from Adventure Life this fall is the
Everest Trekking with Legendary Sherpas tour in Nepal. Climb and descend high-altitude trails, cross suspension bridges over turbulent rivers, pass through rhododendron and pine forests, watch for wildlife like the rare musk deer and colorful pheasants, take in views of peaks like Mount Everest and Lhotse, and meet the Sherpa people and stay in their villages along the way.
